Mayo College

Mayo College (informally Mayo) is a boys-only independent boarding school in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. It was founded in 1875 by Richard Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo who was also the Viceroy of India from 1869 to 1872. The school is one of the oldest Public and Boarding schools of India. The present Principal is Maj Gen KVS Lalotra, who has occupied the post since 2010 and is the sixteenth Principal of the school.

The idea for the college was proposed on May 28, 1869 by Colonel Walter. The school was founded in 1875 and Colonel Sir Oliver St John became its first principal. The founder's intention was to create an Eton of India. The 1st Earl of Lytton, Viceroy of India, said in a speech on campus in 1879:

"The idea was well expressed long ago by Colonel Walter in an excellent and most suggestive report which may have influenced Lord Mayo when he founded the present college. In that very sensible report Colonel Walter pointed out that what was then most needed for the education of India’s young rulers and nobles was an Indian Eton. Ajmer is India’s Eton and you are India’s Eton boys."

With a view to providing the leaders of the princely states with an education similar to that given by a "public school" in the United Kingdom, the British built Mayo for the sons of the Indian upper classes, particularly the princes and nobles of Rajputana. The school houses roughly 850 pupils aged 9 to 18. Admission to the school is based on a competitive entrance examination followed by an interview.

Mayo College is one of the oldest private boarding schools in India and is considered amongst the best boarding schools in the country.

Old boys of the school are commonly known as Mayoites. Mayo College has produced some of the most eminent people of the nation and the world.